Four primary schools to be closed by strike action

A teacher's strike will mean four Glossop primary schools shutting on Thursday, with lessons also cancelled for some secondary pupils. The strike by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL)is in protest at government changes to their pensions which they say will mean working longer, paying more and getting less when they retire.

A teacher's strike strike will mean four Glossop primary schools shutting on Thursday, with lessons also cancelled for some secondary pupils.

The strike by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL)is in protest at government changes to their pensions which they say will mean working longer, paying more and getting less when they retire.

High Peak NUT secretary Angela Read said the decision to strike had not been an easy one but would be the first of a series of walkouts unless the government backs down.

She said: "It is well worth noting that the Teachers' Pension Scheme has been largely in profit since the new scheme was established in 1972. All those hundreds of millions have been used by the government to finance other projects as there is no specific fund for the scheme.

"Union members are angry that no credit is given for those years and that the government is imposing un-negotiated changes without any reference to the scheme's current, affordable position.

"If it can be shown that there is a genuine need for extra contributions, teachers will be prepared to pay a fair, agreed increase. What is being imposed is an increase in tax to offset the deficits caused by mismanagement and waste by central government."

Michael Gove, the education secretary, has angered union leaders by urging heads to increase classroom sizes, change timetables and even use parents as support staff in order to remain open.

He said: "The government's proposals on pensions are currently the subject of continuing discussion with national trade unions, including teaching unions.

"Against this background, the government's view is that industrial action, with the attendant risk of disruption to pupils' education and family life, is not justified."